Recent Comments:
2009 BMW 3 Series unveiled {Autoblog}
Jul 11th 2008 12:31PM I much prefer these new tail-lights. I hated the previous "lemon-suckers", with the obtuse white reverse section and difficult, awkward angles. These tail-lights look much cleaner and are fitting with the new 7-series look.
I'm not sold on the fat bottom lip front end. It looks droopy, although I'm sure it looks better in person. Overall it is an impressive package. I'd love a 335d wagon in Arctic White with an M-package please.
Lutz declares that first Volt mule is running 40 miles on battery power {Autoblog}
May 15th 2008 1:11PM The one factor about the Volt that I think people overlook is that yes - the car has a 40-mile range. But that does not mean you could ONLY drive 40-miles on the battery pack in a given day.
Lets say your commute is 35 miles: ideally you would be able to make it to work without using the ICE, and then at work you would be able to plug in the Volt and recharge the battery pack all day. Theoretically, you could get to work every day without using a drop of gas.
All of this obviously comes at the expense of our city's electrical grids, however I'm certain that over the next decade or so our towns/municipalities/employers will work out some sort of load-sharing cost mechanism whereby we will pay a set rate to charge our cars every day. In the end, we will use less oil to drive but use much more electrical energy in the process.
This is a significant trade-off to be sure. In general I believe that this is the proper direction for the future.
BMW to increase U.S. sourcing, and possibly manufacturing volume {Autoblog}
Apr 15th 2008 5:11PM This move toward greater US supply and production is typical when the dollar depreciates. Not only does the rising Euro make business more expensive in Europe, it simultaneously promotes export growth in America over the longer-term. Expect to see this trend continue as the dollar declines.
This trend also generally precedes the eventual appreciation of the dollar, as a growing export sector will create more jobs and opportunities in a down economy. While the deficit grows slightly, eventually the higher price of imports will level off and the economy will return to 'normal'. (called the J-Curve effect)
It will be more interesting to see the comparative pressure by the Europeans to limit the rise of the Euro in response to a falling dollar. Inflation is already hurting a lot of European economies, so time will tell.
Rumormill: Next BMW 7 Series to offer four-wheel steering? {Autoblog}
Apr 15th 2008 2:46PM 4-wheel steering makes sense. If BMW can engineer a reliable system, why not? It makes parking easier, turning around faster, and overall improves 'general' handling.
Further, if it can be applied in a performance application without overly complicating the multitude of dynamic stability programs, 4-wheel steering has the potential for even greater benefits all around.
It has a nice personality: Ford boosts Focus production by 30% to meet demand {Autoblog}
Apr 15th 2008 2:21PM I dislike the fact that the Corolla looks (exactly) like a baby Camry. I fully understand the reason for doing so, I just think that Toyota plays such an 'appliance' game with their cars (ie. playing it ridiculously safe) that I do not appreciate their designs.
In contrast, the 2006 Civic stood out for its unique shape and boldly different, yet stylish design. Rather the 2009 Corolla (which was delayed a year to 'enhance' its design) came out looking like someone shrunk a Camry. What exactly might the Corolla have looked like before this 'enhancement'? It boggles the mind to consider how boring it may be.
And I stand by my 'ugly' Corolla comment. The body and lights oddly protrude, and the XRS model (especially) looks as if Toyota hot-glue-gunned a body kit all around it. This is not to diminish the Corolla's impeccable quality, safety and fuel efficiency. I drove a 2007 Corolla as a rental in October and was highly impressed by the car in general.
With that said, what is stopping Toyota from making damn good-looking, and yet entirely functional automobiles? It seems to me it is their hell-bent drive to merely conquer the global automotive market. Certainly not an unfair proposition, but one that directly denotes the companies 'automotive appliance' reputation.
It has a nice personality: Ford boosts Focus production by 30% to meet demand {Autoblog}
Apr 15th 2008 2:07PM The rising price of gas combined with increasing demand for smaller, more fuel efficient cars has just as much to do with increased demand for the Focus as with Ford's overall improvement (except design) to the car.
While I am not a fan of the car in general (I agree with the garish fender vents and odd front nose), the Focus certainly stands apart from the new Civic and the (ugly) new Corolla.
Lets hope GM does a better job with the next Cobalt and we may see an American small car renaissance (of sorts).
Beijing '08: Buick Invicta concept to be 4-door coupe {Autoblog}
Apr 14th 2008 4:31PM Get over the fact that they are calling swoopy 4-door sedans 'coupes'.
Look instead at what this car represents for GM: a sexy, curvaceous large 4-door sedan that will make people think, "Woah, that's a Buick?!"
So what if its not technically a coupe; if it sells, it works. Period. So shut up about the coupe thing already and recognize the direction the market is moving in.
Kudos to GM for aping one of Mercedes-Benz's most beautiful cars. (As a reminder: BMW, Aston Martin and Porsche are all building 4-door 'coupes' of their own...) GM isn't stupid.
New York 2008: Kia KOUP Concept comes out {Autoblog}
Mar 20th 2008 11:02AM It's so frustrating. I had a 1994 Integra that I absolutely loved, and only recently sold. I am seriously considering an RSX Type-S as a replacement this summer or next. It just boggles my mind as to why Acura canceled the car.
I understand Honda was worried about market overlap with their new Civic Si - but really - shouldn't they be concerned about overlap with the REST of the Acura line-up? I mean, given you can get an Accord EX with Leather and NAV, why bother getting a TL/TSX? The logic is stupid. And the other reason - moving Acura upmarket?? - who are they kidding? Acura's will always be seen as upscale Honda's, not true competitors to BMW/Mercedes.
For that matter, I can never understand why Toyota/Lexus hasn't released a small, hot coupe like the RSX. However, with the Hyundai Genesis Coupe (I know its bigger than the RSX), and the continuing climb of gas prices, I fully expect to see more cars like the RSX in the near future. Which begs the question - what the HELL was Acura thinking??
In the era of $4 gasoline, a small, efficient 2-door coupe that handles well would sell like crazy! The proliferation of Civic Coupe's also belies a fundamental longing by consumers for cars that handle well and get great mileage. Truly mind-boggling on Acura's part.
New York 2008: Kia KOUP Concept comes out {Autoblog}
Mar 20th 2008 9:58AM Definitely a decent looking car. But way too much Civic Coupe in the front end, combined with a Camaro/RSX rear. I'm not saying the design is derivative, it just looks unoriginal.
What the KOUP really makes me wish is that Acura never canceled the (damned) RSX. What a bunch of morons - serves them right that their market precipitously declined after axing the RSX. Imagine the possibilities of a 2010 RSX. Lord knows Acura would have sold a TON of them.
Chrysler exec says all its vehicles will be hybrids {Autoblog}
Mar 1st 2008 1:12PM Chrysler has a heck of a lot of work to do. My parents' 2006 PT Cruiser is averaging 17mpg... that's a 2.4L 4-cylinder by the way.
Good luck Jim, good luck.
